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It's a meaningful game as well.

"We've both been fortunate enough in the last few years to be in the playoffs or at least have a chance to be in the playoffs," Stuart said. "So (the game) always has a bearing on the district race."

It's also more than just a little personal.

"Just bragging rights and that kind of thing is huge because a lot of those kids are neighbors with each other," Stuart said. "Not only did they go to middle school with them, some of them actually live with a neighbor right beside them may be going to the opposite school."

As can be imagined over the course of 19 years, Stuart has known his ups and downs with Elsik.

"We've lost a game or two that we felt like we were close enough to win," Stuart said. "But as far as anything happening negatively, I don't have any of those (memories) at all. Any time you lose a game, it's a heartache for you. But when it's a real rivalry, some of those kind of things stick in your craw.

"But on the positive side, it's always a thrill. There's always a big crowd and there's a lot of excitement. It's really what high school football is all about. Every (game) has really and honestly been a positive experience for me," he said.

"It's really a friendly rivalry because they are neighbors and they are best friends," Barron said. "When there are no lines drawn, I think it's more of a friendly rivalry."

Barron, who is 2-3 against Hastings in his five years at Elsik, said he really doesn't prepare or treat this game any different than any others.

"You treat each week the same," he said. "I think all the good programs treat each week the same. It may sound funny, but it's not any different because each game is part of a long journey. You've got to have certain success to get to the playoffs and that's the No. 1 thing that we try to do.

"It would be nice to win a championship but you can't advance to the state playoffs without winning each week or having a certain record to get to the playoffs. So you've got to treat each game the same."

The Rams will be looking for a little revenge after last year's loss to the Bears.

"We've had some close games and last year we really didn't play well and they took it to us," said Barron, whose team fell 45-21.